Putting the ‘fun’ in fundraiser!

Exhausted, I grabbed a few hours of sleep and decided to dress like a man for the next fundraiser on my schedule. The Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) is no stranger to entertaining and did a bang-up job at another sold-out event in Eldred (www.henningslocal.com), raising dollars for the GBCC “Community Service Scholarship, Cul-De-Sac and Streetscape maintenance and assorted Beautification and Charitable projects.” Chamber President Ed Gavalla opened the evening, welcoming guests as the talented “Rhythm Express” band played throughout the evening’s festivities. A number of awards were presented, including the “Guardian Award” to Sullivan County Historian John Conway and wife Debra, Director of the Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History. “There’s truly something spiritual about the Upper Delaware Valley,” Mr. Conway told the audience, “and I get to spend every day with my partner, my muse, my everything,” gazing lovingly at his wife as the crowd enthusiastically applauded. Additional awards for “Business of the Year” (River Valley Family Medical) “Volunteer of the Year (Charlene Trotter) and The River Reporter “Readers Choice” honors for “The Best Neighborhood” and “The Best Community Event/Pumpkin Fest” were handed out by yours truly, faithful pup at my side. Saluting the youth of America, more than $2,000 in scholarships was awarded to Eldred High School seniors Brian Jasper, Tim Worzel and Peter Vorstadt, all of whom have plans for higher education in their chosen fields. Following comedian Gavin McInness’ riffs on a “citiot’s” view of life in the country, silent auction winners were announced, and dancing ensued, proving, once again, that putting the “fun” in fundraisers is the only way to do it. There are plenty more on the horizon to participate in, so I’ll take a nap and keep you posted.

Jonathan Fox currently lives in Sullivan County. Having written for film and television, he now concentrates his efforts on novels, plays and assorted periodicals, along with his weekly "Humble Opinion" on life in the Catskills.